Inactivity Raises Kidney, Bladder Cancer Risk

May 26, 2017

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Over time, a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk for developing cancer of the kidney or bladder, according to a new study conducted by researchers at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York. The study also suggests increased physical activity can help reduce the risk for kidney (renal) cancer and bladder cancer.

The study involved 160 people with kidney cancer, 208 with bladder cancer, and 766 healthy people controls. Participants were asked to provide general information about their physical activity throughout their lives. Researchers discovered that those who reported being physically inactive were 77 percent more likely to develop kidney cancer and 73 percent more likely to develop bladder cancer.

Interestingly, the same risk was seen in inactive participants who were overweight or obese, as well as in those of a normal weight. This suggests physical inactivity is a risk factor for kidney and bladder cancer, independent of weight. Previous research has shown a link between a sedentary lifestyle and cervical and ovarian cancers.